Hello. I recently (within two weeks) purchased an 09 JCW Clubman with 48K miles. I was unaware of the timing tensioner issues. (obviously that is my fault 100% and I will not deny that) Well, I have the problem, confirmed by a mini dealer. ( I did not buy the car through them) So, my choices are fix it for 1800$ or just trade out of it, eat the negative equity and get a used 2013 Spark with 7700 miles.

I chose this Mini as a compromise, because I was not yet ready to spend the $$$$ on the WRX STI. It is a blast to drive but I am already soured on Mini and am afraid this might be the start of the many problems to come. Any thoughts on what you all would do? Thanks for your time.

 

Does the dealer you bought it from give any type of 30 day warranty on used cars? Some do nowadays...I would start there.

How much negative equity do you have (more than $1800 worth I'm guessing)? I would keep the MINI and fix it......You will probably lose more in the long run buying a Spark.

 

Thanks for the reply. The dealer basically told me good luck with everything when I called them about helping me get into a different car.

It is def over 1800 for sure. I know driving the Spark won't be as fun but I feel like my wallet will take less of a beating. I drove a Fiat 500 Abarth and even that was not as good as the JCW. So, I know the spark will be a huge step down. But, it does have the factory warranty and all.

At least the Mini dealer I am working with has been much better to deal with than the place I bought it. They gave me a pretty nice valuation on the car if I wanted to trade it in with them. Kudos to them for trying to help when it is totally my problem and not theirs at all.

 

I don't know where in the country you are located, but there might be a quality independent shop that could do the timing chain for a better price. I spend at least 10 hours a week in my car, just commuting, and I don't think I could do that in a Spark.

 

did you call MINI... is it covered under the campaign?

 

I am located near Orlando. There is a Euro Specialist place I was looking into. I will contact them next week. I only commute about 8 miles per day so I guess it wouldn't be too bad. However, I planned on having this car (or whichever car) for the next 4-5 years so I am not sure a 5 speed spark in Lemonade color would be that great.

Mini told me that it is not covered as my vin wasn't on the service alert. It is an 09 JCW Clubman with 48K. I think they said it was built in September of 08. I am still going to contact Mini again, as they told me to have it diagnosed for sure. I did that so maybe they will be able to do something.

 

A. See what MINI says.

B. If it does not go through with MINI , then find an indy and have the chain and valves done, what was all damaged ?

 

Mini said they aren't going to help me. Oh well.

Nothing is damaged yet except the timing chain tensioner. But to pay 1800ish 3 weeks after buying the car is hard to swallow. Do newer (2012) minis have problems? Just an S not a JCW.

I decided against the spark due to oil consumption issues and there are no other cars I want. But I'm so worried something else will go wrong I don't really want to keep the jcw. For instance, when I leave for work in the morn as soon as I give it a little gas, there is a noise and feel in the pedal. Like a slight bang. That can't be good. Stuff like that worries me the car will just keep bleeding my wallet.

 

I bet from who you bought the Mini from was fully aware of the timing chain/tensioner issues, it's amazing how many have been coming to NAM recently just after the purchase of a used MCS with timing chain issues. Three months after I bought my MCS I heard the death rattle for the first time.

I knew what it was as I was fully prepared for it which is why I purchased a 6-Year/100k warranty. Once the rattling begins and the guide is broken it's time for all new timing chain components, it doesnt just happen all of a sudden, the chain stretches over time as the tensioner starts getting lazier until you start to hear it for the first time.

That's when the wallet is opened from the half position to the fully open position and gets thinner.

 

I agree. However, they said good luck with everything and that was that from them. What did you do with your mcs? Did the warranty cover it? Was it through mini or a 3rd party?

 

Yes the third part warranty covered it, I made sure exactly what they covered. I read all the fine print before even deciding on the extended warranty. MaxCare is more useful than the Mini warranty.

 

The 6-year/100,000 CarMax warranty has worked out well for you!

I recently bought a 2015 Justa as a MINI Next CPO in August. The MINI dealer gave me a warranty until 75,000 miles/4-years (ends in Oct 2019). It's nice to have a warranty again.

Oil consumption on the Spark...I lived thru that on my 2008 MINI Cooper S and it was not fun.

 

Yes it has, it's far exceeded what I paid for it not that it effects the coverage at all. MaxCare extended warranty = $2000

1. Timing chain $1600
2. Valve cover $500
3. Water pump $646
4. Thermostat housing $550
5. Oil filter housing gasket $350
6. Oil feed line to turbo $390
7. Footwell module $1000

4-Years/40,000 miles left on my MaxCare extended warranty!

 

The finance guy where I bought it told me to not get their extended warranty and look for one on my own. So I was doing that but now it is too late obviously.

 

Did you ever ask him why he recommended not buying their extended warranty? A Mini dealer?

 

Probably because he was being honest and knew their 3rd party warranty was junk...that's my guess.

I doubt it was a MINI dealer. However, I could be wrong.

 

He said because their warranty was too expensive for what it was.

You are correct, it was not a Mini dealer.

 

Thanks for the update, I hope things work out for you. 2011+ N18 engines , 2013+ N18 JCW engine dont have much of this issue , seems like N14 2007-2009. I am sorry the dealer cant help you, I would call another dealership and see what they say. If not build a parts list and go aftermarket and you can do it for less.

 

Yea it sucks it was the 07-09. It is my fault for not researching properly before buying. I think I am going to trade it in for a Fiat 500 Abarth 2013 with 7200 miles. That factory warranty Def not as fun as a JCW but with a few add ons should be good times.

 

If I were you I wouldn't buy that Fiat 500 or Fiat anything, there not doing to well when it comes to the customer's who have had them from the beginning. Stay away from German or French cars, pick something known to be reliable. Just a suggestion.